Compact lens solution and carrying case

ABSTRACT

A portable case for carrying contact lenses and treating them with solution. A collapsible solution reservoir is housed in a chamber including a tab to squeeze or collapse the reservoir, preferably with temporary anchoring elements, for incrementally feeding solution to a well or wells for contact lenses and solution. A removable spout permits delivery of solution outside the portable case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In the past, contact lens users who travel have had to carryseparate solution bottles and cases for their lenses. Insertion andremoval of lenses into and from the eyes for various reasons such asathletics, work activities, or moving from one social environment toanother can be awkward and inconvenient, sometimes resulting in spillingof the solution and dropping one or both lenses.

[0002] There is a need for a convenient, compact, portable device whichcan be used to treat contact lenses with solution, prepare them forwear, and store them for travel or other movement without undue concernabout spilling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Our invention comprises a unitary case having lens wells, acollapsible solution reservoir, and an incremental solution dispensingsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a preferred base for my device

[0005]FIG. 2 is a preferred exterior lid.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a preferred lens well unit.

[0007]FIG. 4 is a preferred constrictor, in particular a carriage, for acollapsible solution reservoir.

[0008]FIG. 5a shows the carriage of FIG. 4 and the well unit of FIG. 3installed in a base of FIG. 1. FIG. 5b includes the collapsiblereservoir.

[0009]FIG. 6 shows a preferred valve for controlling flow of solution tothe lens wells.

[0010]FIG. 7 is a preferred interior lid.

[0011]FIG. 8 shows a removable spout having valve apertures.

[0012]FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred device as assembled and closed,and showing the recessed position of the spout.

[0013]FIG. 10 shows the exterior lid in the open or flip position.

[0014]FIGS. 11a and 11 b are side sectional views, showing two valvepositions, with a partially closed external lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In FIG. 1, a base 1 is of a generally rectangular shape and hasside walls 2 and 3, a carriage end 4, and a well end 5. In thispreferred version, the base 1 has guides 6 and 7 for guiding theprogress of a solution reservoir carriage, which is further illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5. Receptacles 47 may be used for retaining nubs (seeFIG. 4). Connector 8 and hinge elements 9 permit a lid to be fastened toor hinged to the base 1.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the construction of a preferred exterior lid 20 fromits under side. The exterior lid is distinguished by the well covers 21for the lens wells 31 and 32 (see FIG. 3). Well covers 21 are designedto seal fluid in the wells 31 and 32 when the lid is correctly closed.Preferably the exterior lid 20 includes hinge elements 22 for contactingwith hinge element 9 of base 1 at its well end 5, to form a completehinge, permitting the exterior lid 20 to be lifted to access the lenswells 31 and 32 while still remaining oriented to close accurately overthe lens wells. At the opposite end of lid 20 is a connector 23 forsecuring with base 1. A recess 24 may be designed into the lid for amirror (see FIG. 10).

[0017] The lens well unit 30 in FIG. 3 comprises two wells 31 and 32. Itcontains a duct 33 leading from a prong 34 to a “Y” 37 and then to thetwo lens wells 31 and 32. Prong 34 is designed to connect to thecollapsible solution reservoir not shown. The connection may be made bypuncturing an opening in the solution reservoir, and thus the prong 34has a pointed insert 35. Duct 33 passes through prong 34 and valvecontainer 36, which will accommodate a manually operated valve 60illustrated in FIG. 6. Lens well unit 30 also has a passage 38 for arinse spout illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10. When rinse spout 80 (FIG.8) is inserted into passage 38 in the appropriate manner, it blocks duct33, assuring that no liquid will come out of the solution reservoir.

[0018] The carriage 40 shown in FIG. 4 is basically L-shaped, comprisingsupport elements 41, 42, and 43, and upright element 44. Supportelements 41, 42, and 43 are designed to ride between guides 6 and 7illustrated on base 1 in FIG. 1, while supporting the collapsiblereservoir not shown. Nubs 45 and 46 are dimensioned to fit temporarilyin receptacles 47 as seen in FIG. 1, as the carriage 40 is movedincrementally toward lens wells 31 and 32. The distance betweenreceptacles 47 is preferably calculated so that the incrementallyreduced volume of a collapsible solution reservoir is substantially theamount of solution required for treatment of lenses in wells 31 and 32.

[0019] In FIG. 5a, both the well unit 30 and the carriage 40 are showninstalled in the base 1. The collapsible solution reservoir, not shown,is to be placed between carriage upright element 44 and well unit 30,and connected to port 34 of the well unit 30. An exterior end 82 ofspout 80 is seen projecting from side wall 2 of base 1. Valve handle 63is turned to permit the flow of solution to rinse spout 80. In FIG. 5b,the collapsible reservoir 85 is illustrated; it is in fluidcommunication with prong 34 but otherwise simply rests in the areabetween well unit 30 and upright element 44.

[0020] The valve 60 of FIG. 6 is seen to have perpendicular passages 61and 62. Passage 61 is designed to complete duct 33, permitting fluid topass from the reservoir 85 and well unit 30, and passage 62 is designedto permit insertion of a rinse spout (see FIG. 8) for conveying solutionto the exterior of the device. Valve 60 is for positioning in valvecontainer 36 of lens well unit 30 (see FIG. 3), and may be accessed bythe user by lifting exterior lid 20, which is hinged on base 1 by hingeelements 9 and 22. It is turned by valve handle 63.

[0021] In FIG. 7, the interior lid 70 is shown. It is designed to coverprimarily the collapsible solution reservoir 85, seen in FIGS. 5b, 11 aand 11 b. Interior lid 70 is retained by snap-in retainers 71 whichconnect with base 1 at connector 8. Interior lid 70 may be removed inorder to insert a new solution reservoir but otherwise is intended toremain in place when the user moves carriage 40 incrementally to injectsolution into the lens wells or cause it to flow through rinse spout 80.When interior lid 70 is in place, upright element 44 (See FIG. 5) isaccessible through aperture 72. The user ejects solution from thereservoir by grasping upright element 44 and moving it from onereceptacle 47 to the next receptacle 47, engaging the nubs 45 and 46 inthe receptacles 47.

[0022]FIG. 8 shows a rinse spout 80 for insertion through passage 61 or62 of valve 60. It is designed with a transverse passage 81 to connectwith duct 33 of well unit 30, and passes through side wall 2 of base1—see also FIGS. 5 and 10.

[0023]FIG. 9 is the preferred appearance of the assembled unit in itsclosed configuration. Exterior lid 20 is seen to be closed on base 1,while rinse spout 80 is recessed in base 1.

[0024] In FIG. 10, the exterior lid 20 is flipped open, revealing theupright element 44 forming a tab which is used to constrict thereservoir 85 (see FIGS. 11a and 11 b) by moving it incrementally throughaperture 72. The liquid reservoir is not shown in this view, but itwould normally be immediately visible in aperture 72. The lower side ofexterior lid 20 may have a mirror 84 for the convenience of the user. Inthis posture of the device, rinse spout 82 is shown to be extended andturned downward, which will permit liquid to flow from the liquidreservoir through duct 33 to liquid spout 82, so it may be directed tothe user's palm or other outside receptacle.

[0025] In FIG. 11a, it may be observed that the exterior lid 20 will notclose because the valve handle 63 is turned to a position which willblock the downward movement of the lid 20. This is the positionpermitting fluid to flow. In FIG. 11b, the valve handle 63, in theclosed position to prevent the flow of liquid, the external lid 20 willclose.

[0026] In operation, a filled solution reservoir 85 is placed on thecarriage 40 and oriented so its opening faces pointed insert 35 of thelens well unit 30. The reservoir opening is then connected with thepointed insert 35, enabling fluid to pass from reservoir 85 into duct33. Valve 60 should be closed for storage or transport by insertingrinse spout 80 completely into passage 38 and, as mentioned above, lid70 cannot be closed unless valve handle 62 is closed. Contact lenses maybe placed in the wells 31 and 32 either in the presence of solution orin a dry state. The lids 20 and 70 are then closed and the unit is readyfor travel. When it is time for use, the exterior lid 20 is opened,exposing upright element 44 of carriage 40 so the user may injectsolution into the wells 31 and 32 by first opening valve 60 and thenmoving carriage 40 towards the wells one notch—that is, to the nextreceptacle 47. Movement of carriage 40 the first increment will cause ameasured dose of solution to pass through duct 33 to the wells 31 and32. Preferably each well will be filled to about ¾ level. After removingthe lenses from the wells, the lids may be closed and the unit is readyto transport again. Alternatively, rinse spout 80 is withdrawn a shortdistance out of side wall 2 and turned ninety degrees to divert the flowof solution from duct 33 to the rinse spout 80. The flow of solution maythen be directed into the user's hand so the lens can be wetted prior touse.

[0027] The particular construction illustrated can be variedconsiderably within the scope of the claims below. For example, it isnot necessary for the carriage to be guided by guides 6 and 7 on base 1;guides need not be used at all, or, if they are, they can be placed onthe walls of the base rather than on its floor. Likewise, theillustrated receptacles and nubs are a presently preferred design forensuring more or less measured doses of fluid; this also is notnecessary since the user can easily see the amount of fluid entering thewells, but if used, could also be on the walls 2 and/or 3. The carriageitself is not necessary, since any device capable of constricting thereservoir is contemplated within our invention. The constrictor may bebuilt into the reservoir—that is, it may simply be part of the wall ofthe reservoir. While we prefer that the reservoir be constructed with aneck or opening that can be punctured by prong 34 or a similar device,any convenient device for establishing fluid flow between the reservoirand the duct (33) or Y (37) may be used.

[0028] Our invention therefore includes a contact lens carrying andtreating device comprising (a) a case (b) at least one lens well in saidcase, (c) a collapsible solution reservoir within the case, (d) aconstrictor for the collapsible solution reservoir for incrementallycollapsing the collapsible solution reservoir within the case (e) a ductfor conveying solution from the solution reservoir to the at least onelens well as the solution reservoir is collapsed, and (f) a valve in theduct for permitting solution to flow towards the at least one lens wellwhen the solution reservoir is incrementally collapsed.

[0029] Our invention also includes a contact lens travel case comprising(a) a base, (b) at least two lens wells on the base, (c) a liquidreservoir on the base (d) a duct leading from the liquid reservoir tothe lens wells, (e) a constrictor for constricting the reservoir tocause liquid to pass from the reservoir through the duct to the wells,(f) an internal lid covering the wells while permitting a user to accessthe constrictor, and (g) an external lid closing off access to saidconstrictor.

[0030] In another version, our invention includes a container andapplicator for contact lens solution comprising a contact lens solutionreservoir, the reservoir being reducible in volume as a function of theamount of solution therein, at least one solution well, the solutionwell having a connection to the solution reservoir to convey solutionfrom the reservoir to the at least one well, and a valve for blockingand opening the connection.

1. A contact lens carrying and treating device comprising (a) a case (b)at least one lens well in said case, (c) a collapsible solutionreservoir within said case, (d) a constrictor for said collapsiblesolution reservoir for incrementally collapsing said collapsiblesolution reservoir within said case (e) a duct for conveying solutionfrom said solution reservoir to said at least one lens well as saidsolution reservoir is collapsed, and (f) a valve in said duct forpermitting solution to flow towards said at least one lens well whensaid solution reservoir is incrementally collapsed.
 2. Device of claim 1having two lens wells and wherein said duct is capable of conveyingsolution from said solution reservoir to both of said lens wells. 3.Device of claim 1 wherein said constrictor comprises a carriage. 4.Device of claim 3 wherein said solution reservoir is supported at leastpartly by said carriage.
 5. Device of claim 3 wherein said carriage andsaid base have complementary nubs and recesses for incrementallyadvancing said carriage towards said at least one lens well.
 6. Deviceof claim 5 wherein said recesses are spaced so that each increment ofadvance of said carriage will constrict said solution reservoir by avolume substantially equal to a volume of solution needed for treatingat least one contact lens.
 7. Device of claim 1 including a removablespout for communicating with said duct to convey solution to the outsideof said device.
 8. Device of claim 1 wherein said collapsible solutionreservoir can be readily removed and replaced.
 9. Device of claim 1wherein said valve includes a passage for a rinse spout.
 10. Device ofclaim 10 wherein, when said rinse spout is passed completely throughsaid valve, flow of solution through said valve is blocked.
 11. Acontact lens travel case comprising (a) a base, (b) at least two lenswells on said base, (c) a liquid reservoir on said base (d) a ductleading from said liquid reservoir to said lens wells, (e) a constrictorfor constricting said reservoir to cause liquid to pass from saidreservoir through said duct to said wells, (f) an internal lid coveringsaid wells while permitting a user to access said constrictor, and (g)an external lid closing off access to said constrictor.
 12. Contact lenstravel case of claim 11 including a rinse spout for directing liquidfrom said reservoir to outside of said travel case.
 13. Contact lenstravel case of claim 12 wherein in one position said rinse spout willdirect liquid from said reservoir to outside of said travel case and inanother position direct liquid into said lens wells.
 14. Contact lenstravel case of claim 13 wherein, in a third position, said rinse spoutwill block the flow of liquid from said reservoir to said wells. 15.Contact lens travel case of claim 11 wherein said liquid reservoirresides in a carriage on said base, said carriage and said baseincluding guide elements for incremental movement of said constrictor.16. A container and applicator for contact lens solution comprising acontact lens solution reservoir, said reservoir being reducible involume as a function of the amount of solution therein, at least onesolution well having a connection to said solution reservoir to conveysolution from said reservoir to said at least one well, and a valve forblocking and opening said connection.
 17. Container and applicator ofclaim 16 including a lid which serves as a closure for said at least onewell.
 18. A container and applicator of claim 16 wherein said reservoiris reducible in volume by squeezing it with a tab to remove solutiontherefrom through said connection to said at least one well.
 19. Acontainer and applicator of claim 16 including a rinse spout forconveying solution from said reservoir outside of said container andapplicator.
 20. A container and applicator of claim 18 including aninternal lid having an aperture permitting said tab to be accessible tothe user from outside said container and applicator.